Recommended summer read ETERNAL CURSE by Toi Thomas

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, blurb

“You have plenty of time to change your mind. You have not yet seen the monster I can be.”

Giovanni has been waiting his whole life to meet someone like Mira, someone from the outside world who might be able to help him. He wonders if there really is help for him as he continues to hold tightly onto dark secrets and even darker memories. Giovanni wants to be hopeful and he wants to accept Mira’s help, but first he has to look himself in the mirror and face what he truly is- and that is a reality no one is quite ready to accept.

Searching for new purpose and meaning in her life, Mira meets Giovanni online and an exciting and, in some ways, scary friendship is developed. Mira decides one day to meet Giovanni in person, at his secluded country home, in order to aid him on his journey of self-discovery. What these two are able to discover will not only test their strength and will, but it will stretch the limits of their minds and catapult them into a world where earth, Heaven, and Hell collide.

Eternal Curse is the story of a man who may just be the answer to a spiritual war swiftly heading his way- but for now, he just wants to be a man.
 

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Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, excerpt

He looked down toward the ground and saw an attractive young woman carrying a large pail into a barn. Her skin was freckled and pale, and she had rosy cheeks. Her hair was long and straight, and it was black like the night. She seemed so familiar to him, but he didn’t know her. Giovanni watched as the young woman filled feeding troughs with water to be cleaned. As she reached for a scrubbing brush, Giovanni could see that someone or something was following her. He sensed that trouble was on the way. He tried to call out to her, but she could not hear him. His voice made no sound. Giovanni left the tree and swooped down to the ground to get a closer look.

 There he saw a creeping perpetrator bouncing from beam to beam in the rafters of the barn. Drool slipped from the monster’s mouth while it hovered over the unknowing young woman. Giovanni tried to fly up to see this fiendish stalker, but he couldn’t get his feet off the ground, and his wings would not flap. Giovanni knew something bad would happen, he could feel it in his heart, but it seemed he could do nothing to stop it. He did not understand. Why was this happening? How could he appear to be so powerful, be so angelic, and not be able to help someone in need?

Giovanni refused to give up his pursuit. He pushed his body forward and went from door to door, and window to window, trying to get in to warn and protect the young woman. Looking through a window, Giovanni finally saw the villain’s full horror. He got a clear vision of the attacker as it was leaping down from the ceiling toward the woman. It was the most hideous monster he’d ever seen, much worse than his own reflection.

It was a twisted and mangled troll with charcoal for skin on its hairless body. It had empty holes carved out of its skull where eyes once were. There were two large dull spikes protruding from its hunched back, where it looked as though wings had been violently ripped from its body. Its hands were made of jagged bones held together with rotting ligaments, and its feet crackled as it moved along the floor.

 In the troll’s hands were two long golden rods that whipped back and forth like lassos. Each rod was attached to the end of a large iron spike that punched through the shoulders of a young man’s dying body. They were holding up the young man’s body as though he were a puppet. To the young woman, the troll simply appeared as a shadowy figure lingering around the painfully disturbed and ailing young man.

The troll maneuvered the young man’s body around the girl, delivering blow after blow.  The monster had taken this young man’s life; he was using his body as a weapon to attack this poor girl for what seemed to be the sheer enjoyment of it. It laughed a loud cackle as it threw the girl down to the ground, tearing her raggedy dress. Giovanni could see the girl’s anguish and could hear her screams, and he could even feel her pain, but Giovanni could do nothing to stop it.
 

Meet The Author

Toi Thomas Short Bio
A self-proclaimed techie and foodie, Toi Thomas was born in Texas, but considers Virginia to be home. Working with computers and cooking lavish meals are reoccurring pastimes for this Virginia Beach teacher’s assistant. She’s been blogging for three years and is proud to present her debut novel.
Author Recognition: Sponsored by TheAuthorShow.com as one of their, 2013, 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.

The Book Also has an interesting companion guide, here is the author reading an excerpt on her YouTube Channel

Toi Thomas is everywhere

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ToiBox blog and Toi Box

 

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You can also contact her via e-mail

 toijenthomas@gmail.com

or

 ecseriesblog@gmail.com

Guest Post by V.S. Nelson author of ETERNAL LOVERS

What inspires you to write?

 

I wrote non-fiction and text books for years before retiring from my teaching career. I started a part time business creating historical costumes which is a major hobby and interest of mine. Gabriel, the hero from Eternal Lovers, started making himself known to me though my dreams then eventually his thoughts and images began to filter into the daylight hours.

Originally, I thought if I wrote out his story he would “shut up” and leave me alone. I had no intention of seeking publication for his or any other story. I soon became intrigued and captivated by his tales and shared the first “rough” draft with a friend who was an avid paranormal reader. She loved his story and suggested I clean it up and submit it for publication.

While I worked on rewrites and edits for Eternal Lovers another story relating to the seven Ancients began to unfold. Gabriel’s little story turned into an eleven book series and I’m still writing. Allowing him the freedom to express his self and share his stories with me has also opened the door for others to visit me in my dreams, which is where all my stories come from.

 

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A multi-plotted, cross-genre’ paranormal Romance

Within our modern society a parallel vampire world exists. Two factions of vampires have fought against one another since ancient times. Each faction started with seven men that were brought forth from the land of Tuat and taken to ancient Egypt, then transformed into what they remain, vampires. These fourteen are known as the Ancients. They are the makers and the fathers of the both sides of the vampire world we know today. The behavior of each side of the faction differs, but their purpose has remained the same; to eliminate the other from the Earth’s surface. 

Contrasts are essential and play a strong roll through the multiple points of view and plots that develop as the story is unveiled. Love vs hate, honor vs betrayal, strength vs weakness, virtue vs evil, and death vs birth are just a few of the contrasts that unfold in the first book in the Guardians Incorporated Saga. 

Set’s Army, evil by nature, have no regard for the human race. They see mortals as nothing more than food that provides them with the blood they need to survive. They survive in order to fight the Guardians, who protect those of the Vampire Nation who live in harmony with the humans. Bagsu, the first of ancient vampire created by Set has led his legions for centuries. 

Guardians Incorporated is a legitimate multi-billion dollar world wide protection agency that operates openly in the human world. They protect dignitaries, world leaders, rock legends, the rich and famous, and members of the Vampire Nation. The corporation was formed over a hundred years ago and is still run by the seven Ancient Guardians.  The leader of Guardians Incorporated is Gabriel. Since the loss of his first love Akhakh in ancient Egypt; Gabriel, a man of few words has become hard, cold, and distant from his emotions.  

Jennifer, a Native American married woman of twenty four, sets off on a short vacation to visit her best friend who is currently staying at a lake estate near Chicago.

Soon after arriving she realizes that she is becoming sexually drawn to two of the oversized gorgeous men that are guarding the estate. Unknown to her at the time, both men have fallen in love with her. Not wanting to break her wedding vows, she sets off on a surprise overnight trip to visit her husband, a studio musician, who is staying in a hotel in Hollywood. Unlocking the hotel door, Jennifer is surprised to find her husband is otherwise engaged. She finds him locked in the arms of another man. 

Her best friend and the two, who have fallen in love with her, have followed her to Hollywood with the intent of stopping her before she discovers her husband’s secret.

They arrive moments too late. Jennifer is attacked by her husband’s lover, a half breed vampire. A fight breaks out between the Ancient Guardians and her husband’s lover.

 Jennifer falls into a catatonic state believed to be shock.  She is flown back to the estate just outside of Chicago. The guardian’s believe that when their physician removes the memories of what she has witnessed, she will regain consciousness.  

The guardian’s physician, Michael soon discovers that although Jennifer has the blood of a mortal, she has the brain function of an immortal. He is unable to remove her memories. After hours of research, they suspect that Jennifer is something other than a mere mortal. Compiling all the evidence, they have come to the conclusion that she is part Selkie. 

 A small group of her friends travel to Jennifer’s home hoping to find an old photograph of her biological father that has his name on the back. Instead of finding the old picture that her friend saw years prior, they find Jennifer’s father, Ronan, in person.

Ronan has been watching her from a distance since her birth. Ronan, after being informed of what has happened to his daughter, tells the group that he believes that Jennifer is not in shock. Like all Selkies, Jennifer has always possessed the ability to place her life essence in nearby animals. Rather than deal with what she witnessed, Ronan believes Jennifer jumped ship.   

The first attempt to locate an animal possessing Jennifer’s essence was futile.  It is discovered that the wolf she has raised since her early childhood possesses Jennifer’s essence. The group returns to the Chicago lake estate with Ronan and the wolf. They hope that by bringing the two together Jennifer will return to her own body. 

Meanwhile, the rock band, The Immortals, arrive at Yankee Stadium for their New York performance.  When the helicopter descends in front of the stage it is hit by a firework’s mortar and all hell breaks loose. Several more mortars are fired onto the stage and into the massive crowds of spectators. In all the confusion, Kathleen, a lifemate of one of the band members is kidnapped by the soldiers of Set’s army.  

A national search for her is conducted by Guardians Incorporated; bulletins are posted on the World Wide Web and throughout the Vampire Nation. A phone call is received on the Guardian’s hot line from an unidentified caller. A male voice recites an address and hangs up. A well organized assault team from the Guardians New York office descends upon a rural farm house and discovers two, not one, lifemates being held prisoner. Kathleen is returned to her husband. The Immortals, after receiving injuries travel under the protection of G.I., to the lake estate just outside Chicago.  

At the lake estate Jennifer awakes in her own body to discover she is now living in a whole new world; her soon to be ex-husband is gay, she meets her father for the first time and her best friend lives in the world of vampires. Suddenly, Jennifer is forced to mature and accept who and what she is. Her Selkie half leads her to discover that she is in love with Gabriel, the leader of G.I., and a vampire.  

Gabriel is forced to confront his own repressed emotions.  He has fallen in love with the tiny half Selkie, Jennifer.  The passion and intimacy continue to rise between the two when it is discovered that Set’s forces are planning a full scale attack on the G.I. headquarters. Before Set’s army is able to implement their plan, assault teams led by the G.I. Ancients storm four of Set’s strongholds. 

Gabriel is confronted by his old enemy Bagsu, one of Set’s Ancients, who he had previously killed.  Two hundred years ago Bagsu was turned to dust when Gabriel severed his head from his body. Mysteriously, the ancient along with three others have returned from oblivion.  Gabriel is critically injured in the confrontation with Bagsu.

During the conflict several breed warriors are killed and more are injured. One man is missing and believed to have been taken prisoner by Set’s forces. 

Armstrong, now a prisoner of Bagsu and three other ancients, is being held captive in a house in Saint Paul. Enduring days of torture, he has revealed nothing to his enemy. He awakes no longer in the cell he has been in, but in a comfortable bed being hand fed blood by what he believes to be; a fellow soldier in arms. Bagsu felt that torturing Armstrong for the information he desired was a waste of time and tried a new approach. He has assigned Alan Roberts to befriend him in an attempt to extract the information. 

 To regain the army’s strength, Bagsu divulges his plans.  He orders his soldiers to stand down and leave the Guardians alone for the time being. Recruiting additional soldiers has become the top priority. New recruits are to be targeted from U.S. military instillations. An order is implemented to abduct female civilian lifemates because their blood carries a strength giving substance. 

Gabriel recovers and during an intimate setting discovers that Jennifer is the reincarnation of his beloved Akhakh. While things are quiet on the warfront he asks Jennifer to not only be his lifemate but to marry him in a traditional human ceremony.

The guests and staff at the lake estate lend a hand to plan and execute a grand elaborate wedding ceremony. Two days later, Ronan walks his daughter down the isle in front of a crowd of over two hundred guests. They adjourn to their underground chamber after the wedding, where Jennifer at last becomes as his lifemate.

 

Synopsis

Ancient Legends - New Worlds

When two hidden worlds collide near modern day Lake Michigan, Jennifer, a young Native American, is confronted with the reality not everything is as it seems and things do go bump in the night. The questions she has long since asked are answered in this epic tale of self-discovery when she meets Gabriel; the director of Guardians Incorporated.

Born in New Tuat, Netchkhet, now known as Gabriel, came to Earth some five thousand years ago to protect the human race, Disillusioned because of an unfulfilled prophecy, he has become cold and distant - even from those of his kind. Secretly, he waits for his enemy to take his head so he may leave this world for good.

Can a tiny Selkie melt his hardened heart and restore his faith in a power far greater than himself? When history repeats itself, can he save her from death's embrace or will they be robbed of a future again?

Author Bio

V.S. Nelson has always enjoyed reading stories with strong relationships and happy endings so it’s not surprising she found herself writing across the romance genre. Even her commercial fiction, Sins of a Man, the memoirs of a Mafia Hit man, is layered with romantic elements.

Landing in Arizona, after an exciting teaching career, which took her to the Middle East for several years, she lives in Arizona where she spend most of my time making love to her computer while writing, editing or researching, seven to ten hours a day. The days she’s not writing, you will find her with my critique partners at Starbucks, attending or presenting a workshop or at a RWA meeting.

Being a Native American woman and a Scorpio, she’s always had a fondness for history, mythology, the occult, and the unexplained events which have occurred on this world we call home. It was no wonder she found herself writing a paranormal series.

She enjoys hearing from readers, fans and people with similar interests. They are more than welcome to contact her through her website http://www.authorvsnelson.com

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A Writer's World Mar 18

Intoxicated By Books Mar 19

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The Many Muses of MaryLynn Mar 21

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Ashlynn's Dreams by Julie Gilbert

Ashlynn's Dreams is about a girl who gets kidnapped because she can shape people's dreams.

Before she was kidnapped, Jillian Marie Antel Blairington was just an average bright, brave, headstrong child. She was excited for life in a new house with her Momma and new Daddy. Afterward, she's all that ... and so much more. Held in a scientific facility, Jillian discovers her past-a family she never knew and a power she doesn't understand. With her ability now activated, she can enter and even shape a person's dreams. Jillian's been kidnapped, and her Gift has been triggered, so she can locate and save Benjamin Connelly, a brother she never even knew she had. She'd better master this strange ability quickly, though, because her life isn't the only one at stake. Her babysitter, Danielle Matheson, is being held as a hostage to ensure Jillian's full cooperation. Slowly, Jillian begins to learn more about her captor and the other genetically altered children held at the facility. Join Jillian as she tries to survive the training being forced upon her, find her unknown brother, escape with Danielle, and work her way back to a normal life once more.

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Ashlynn's Dreams e-book

 

 

About the Author

Julie Gilbert drinks lots of tea and decaffeinated coffee, plays RPGs, reads incessantly, and writes in several genres, including general science fiction, fantasy, Christian, and sci-fi space opera. She has taught biology, chemistry, and 5th grade science. She lives in the money sign state (New Jersey), as Jillian would put it.